#IIFYM: What the 'If It Fits Your Macros' Diet Plan Really Means

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Millions of people have been posting their perfectly fit bodies on Instagram crediting the latest trending diet plan: #IIFYM. According to the Inquisitr, about 3 million photos of fit physiques and yummy healthy foods have been posted on Instagram, all of which are related to the new trending diet known as "If It Fits Your Macros."

While it seems that a lot of people have already heard of the diet and benefited from it, there are still a million more people who are wondering what #IIFYM really means.

Simply put, #IIFYM is a revolutionary diet that allows people to eat anything they want without the food restrictions or scheduled eating times. The Examiner explains that macros stand for macronutrients, which includes carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. In addition, the "If It Fits Your Macros" diet is flexible and can be adjusted according to a person's individual needs and goals.

To start the IIFYM diet, a person must calculate the amount of macros they need to consume everyday, or basal metabolic rate (BMR), based off of their weight, height, and age. The Daily Beast uses the Harris-Benedict formula.

After calculating the BMR, do not forget to account for the amount of physical activity one does everyday, states Leslie Bonci, MPH, RD, CSSD, LDN, Director of Sports Nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

After calculating an individual's macro needs, simply split the given amount of calories among the three main macronutrients. It should be split as follows: 40 percent carbs, 40 percent protein, and 20 percent fat.

Technically speaking, a person following the IIFYM diet can consume anything they want as long as it follows the 40/40/20 split. However, it is important to note that the amount of macros consumed must not exceed or fall under the given percentage.

So, if a person decides to blow the 20 percent of fat consumption for the whole day in one sitting then he/she can do so. But after that one cookie splurge, that person should not consume anymore fat, good or bad.

To make the diet easier to follow and due without all the calculations, Armando Vasquez, from The Examiner, suggests going to www.iifym.com to calculate BMR calories. He explains that the website will also account for each person's level of daily activity.

After calculating, Vazques recommends downloading the "MyFitnessPal" app to keep track of calorie intake. The app will require people to change their calorie intake, as advised by the IIFYM website.

To change the calorie intake number, go to the app's website and click on "My Home." Next, select "goals" and click on "change goals." Then, input the calorie goal given by the IIFYM website.